New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-23
prospcrity of the Commonwealth in vial
n,rticular he will promptly sign il.
THE BROOKLYN DISCLOSURES.

Under Republican rule Brooklyn had model
CITY government. But the return or the Demo-
Gratis to power has been followed by an extra
ordinary change. The Assembly Investigating
Committee has already demonstrated that the
CITY and county governments arc in Thoroughly
had condition. It has shown that the Register,
County Clerk and Sheriff are each in receipt
of paw about equal to that OF the President OF
the United States. The greater part of this
money is apparently divided among the worst
class Of Democratic politicians, and is used 1or
political purposes. A considerable part OF II Is
known TO have been used in this way, while
the refusal to answer questions on this SUBJECT
~ IN hermit an examination Of the books IS
rroof that other damaging disclosures might
be made.
The Distrct-Attorvy testified that he did not
think majority of the people of Kings County
wore in favor Of the enforcement Of the laws
against gambling. as he considered his re-eiec-
fop nroof of that fact lie boldly declared
that he had not prosecuted such cases because
he considered the will of the majority. meaning
the Democratic party. of more importance than
the enforcement of the law. Alter two days
reflection he modified this testimony
but without removing its damaging effect. Inc
MAYORS testimony was chiefly Important as
showing his ignorance of city affairs. there
was ample evidence 10 prove that the CiU!l
Service law is nulfcd and in many instances
wholly dsregardc,l. In that part OF Coney
Island which is under control OF the town OIL
ficcrs. gambling and crime of all kinds go on
almost unchecked and John Y. McKanc, the
President of the Town Board and the Chief OF
Police testified that nc did not attempt to en-
force the laws against gambling, clc., except
in cases where complaint was made to him.
The evidence has brought out other equally
scandalous disclosures.
This testimony reveals the means and meth
dds by which the Democratic party so largely
increased its vote in Kings County in the laSt
election. The county Offices furnished large
fund for usc at the polls. But this was mere
bagatcllc TO the sum which the gamblers con-
tr1buted. One out of large number OF men
engaged in selling pools testified that he took
in $4,000 a day. These men protected by
Democratic officials could well afford to spend
half a million dollars. or twice that sum- III
rolling M Democratic majortics. And the
result Of an election carried in this way Is
proudly pointed out by Democratic officials as
d y
a vindicaton Of their course. How do the
respectable Democrats of Kings County like
the Interpretation put upon their votes by the
men they helped into Office
There is one feature Of this investigation
which has bad look for Governor Hill. The
committee is unanimous in reporting that the
county officers paid by fees receive too much
for their services. Tic committee has intro
duccd three excellent bills on the subject two
of which make the County Clerk and Register
salaried officers Similar bills were passed by
the Legislature in 1855 after having lccn ap-
proved in the conventions OF both political
parties. They Ta>sed the Legislature with
few dissenting votes; but on the request Of
Boss Mclaughlin Governor Hill vetoed
them. In doing this nc bodily played into the
hands Of the Mclaughlin Ring. and he cannot
escape his share OF lie responsibility for the
present soandalous state Of Affairs in Kings
County